Sony SDM-HS74P
The HS74P replaces the HS73P. Sony chose a new AU Optronics 16 ms panel from a new line called the “V2”.
 |  | The panel inclination is reduced... |
Color qualityThe screen has five buttons; one on-switch, and four others to adjust display options and change from analogical to numerical input. The control on the left provides four levels of pre-set brightness; User, High, Average and Low. If you change brightness to anything but “User”, you won’t be able to access Contrast, Brightness and backlighting parameters in the OS. This isn’t a problem, however, because the change often results in a poorer display quality.
We prefered the “Low” (111 cd/m² for white and 0.5 cd/m² for black) to the “High” and “Average” setting (respectively 345 and 251 cd/m²). The contrast ratio was 218 : 1.
Despite a good white level, the black was still too bright. A good black is around 0.2 cd/m². The HS74P black level is almost twice this level. Our colorimeter was correct and the poor result is illustrated by the DeltaE curve.
How to interpret the graph ?X axis: 0 black to 100 white
If Delta > 3, the desired color is noticeably different from the color displayed.
1< Delta E < 2: colors are accurate
Delta E < 1: the result is perfect.
After calibration the result is better. More detail was visible. If you want to have a better color quality and a deeper black, choose the User mode and try every contrast brightness, backlighting, and gamma ratio combination. This may prove difficult and is a bad mark for Sony.
This screen, however, doesn’t target the graphic artist market and we didn’t spend too much time in calibration. Five tests made in “User” mode gave a slightly better result in the end with 91.5 cd/m² for white and 0.33 cd/m² for black. The contrast ratio measured was then 277: 1, still far from the Belinea 10 17 35.
We started to think that Sony was using the same principle as with video projectors (see the Sony interview above) in that with a brighter white, black seems deeper. The only problem is our colorimeter showed a different result. But as this screen should be for home-use and games this really isn’t an issue. Unreal tournament with extremely accurate colors isn’t important. What gamers want are bright colors without any underexposed areas for detail. All in all the SDM-HS74P provides good and satisfactory results.
Viewing angles
Due to the TN panel, viewing angles aren’t the best with the SDM-HS74P. Lateral angles are small, even lower than the AS4314UTG. The vertical angle is better than the average TN but still reduced.
Overall, viewing angles are better than with other AU panels (thanks to the Black-LCD filter) but are still far from the 160° claimed by Sony. Results are far from IPS or VA panels.
InterpolationPerhaps due to its Sony processor, interpolation is much more efficient than other screens. At any resolution the picture remains sharp and clear as if an accentuation effect was applied. It isn’t however possible to play in 640 x 480. Objects are still sharp but the processor doesn’t remove the “stair” effect on separation lines.
Games
V2 or not, the panel is still an AU Optronics 16 ms, which is less reactive than the Hydis. Reactivity, however, might not be an issue thanks to bright and vivid colors. In comparing other screens to the SDM-HS74P – including the AS4314UTG – they will appear to have dull colors. We also noticed that if colors were numerous (more details than other screens) they aren’t accurate. But for gaming who cares?
Despite a noticeable afterglow, you can play any game with this screen. And the filter may add a new interesting dimension to game playing. X-Black LCD technology has a strange mirroring effect (we have already mentioned this problem is precedent tests) but adds a new characteristic to images. CRT and standard LCD screens display flat pictures, but here we feel the round shape, height and depth of a character’s environment. It isn’t yet 3D but we can still find an appreciable depth sensation, which compensates for usual disadvantages of LCDs (reduced viewing angles, slight afterglow, approximate colors etc.)
Video
The mirroring effect not really a problem in games is noticeable in video. The black strips below and on the top of the picture are reflective. Watching a movie involves turning off all light sources. Videos are correctly displayed but with an obvious dithering effect and the fastest and slowest scenes have a strong afterglow. Video isn’t the best for this screen…
Take a look at this manufacture’s dead pixel policy by clicking here!
